The plans cover a large area of land east of the existing burgh of Kintore extending from the new business park on the south-west to extend eastwards along the railway line towards Aberdeen.

The plans as displayed in 2011

The proposal, which was outline at a public exhibition in February 2011, proposes an expansion of Kintore to the East, adding between 1,000 and 1,200 additional houses, a public park, sports fields, commercial developments and land for new schools. Aberdeenshire Council agreed to grant full planning permission for the primary school in August this year.

The Framework envisages work beginning with the commercial and community area of the Kintore East development close to School Road, just west of the Tuach Burn. The planners suggest this area could be suitable for a community facility, with childcare and healthcare.

It is notable that the report to councillors refers to this area being suitable for “convenience retail”. This rules out the provision of a supermarket.

Many will view this as underlining the need to approve the proposed Gateway Kintore development, for which a 1,000-signature petition was handed over to Kintore councillors in February this year.